Student's 'selfie' death an accident: probers

By Non Alquitran, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - The death of a student who fell down a flight of stairs at the Rizal High School while taking selfie photos was accidental, the Pasig City police said yesterday.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza said that according to investigators, several witnesses – including the classmates of victim Christine Rosello, 13 – testified that there was no foul play involved in her death.

According to Rariza, Hanah Jane Calces, a classmate of Rosello and the owner of the cell phone the victim used to take selfies, was some distance away when Rosello fell nine steps from the third floor and landed on the second floor platform of the school building.

“The victim was observed drinking an energy drink while taking a selfie and all of a sudden she fell off the stairs, catching her classmate and other students by surprise,” Rariza said in an interview.

She died while being treated at the Rizal Medical Center.

According to Rariza, Rosello’s family said she had been experiencing dizzy spells days before the accident.